Means for dispensing spherical forms



Feb. 28, 1961 w; WELLER ET AL 2,972,846

MEANS FOR DISPENSING SPHERICAL FORMS Filed Oct. 28, 1959 MEANS non DISPENSING srrmmcAL FORMS Arthur W. Weller and Donald E. Lanigan, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignors to Rosina Automatic Machinery (30., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 849,339

2 Claims. (Cl. 53-316) fluid. Containers of this type have been extensively used for dispensing underarm deodorant, mucilage and the like,

rates Patent" and are generally formed of a flexible expandible synthetic resinous material, such as polyethylene or the like. In the alternative, a polyethylene fitment is secured to a glass bottle or collapsible tube to accomplish a similar result.

With the extensive use'of this type of container, it has become desirable to provide means for automatically positioning the spherically shaped closure members upon the open ends of filled containers, so that the spherical forms may be pressed into position within the corresponding sockets in a substantially automatic manner.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved means for dispensing spherical forms of the type described which may be used in conjunction with conventional high speed capping machine construction of types generally known in the art.

Another object of the present invention lies in the provision of improved means for dispensing spherical forms which will be substantially fool-proof in operation, and which may have a minimum of moving parts.

'2 Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention. f

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a first position in the dispensing cycle, in which a spherical form is first engaged by the open upwardly extending neck of a container.

Figure 3 is a similar fragmentary view in elevation showing a subsequent position of the spherical form just prior to insertion of the same within the opening in the container.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a final stage of the positioning of the spherical form within the opening in the container.

in accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 is used in conjunction with a conventional high speed capping or container closing machine, which includes generally a conveyor belt, container gripping means (both not shown) which feed a plurality of containers generally indicated by when ence character 13 past a spherical form receiving point. The device It) includes a feed or hopper means 14 which leads to the dispensing point generally indicated by reference character 15, the same being normally loaded with a plurality of substantially equally sized spherical closures 16. The device it) is supported from an upper frame element 17 through an adjustable link 18, the frame 17 also supporting an optionally employed roller seating Still another object of the invention lies in the provii sion of improved means for dispensing spherical forms of the class described which will perform, in addition to the dispensing operation, at least a partial seating operation wherein'the dispensed spherical form will remain in position, either completely seated or sufficiently well seated so that subsequent greater force may be applied to fully seat the same within the upwardly disposed opening of a container. t Y

means 19.

The containers 13 may be of any suitable type including an upper socket fitment 21 of suitable resilient synthetic resinous material such as polyethylene. The socket or recess 22 is normally cylindrical in configuration, and of a shape adapted to retain the spherical forms 16 therein for relative rotation. r s

The feed or hopper means 14 includes a supply tube the upper end of which is associated with suitable hopper means (not shown) forsupplying a continuous fiowof spherical forms 16. The spherical'forms 16 pass downwardly through a generally cylindrical bore 25 to an open lower end 26. Positioned adjacent the v lower end 26 are first and second rail members one of which is indicated by -reference character 27 which are generally horizontally disposed in mutually parallel relation. Each of the rail members 27 includes an upper surface 29 which projects beneath the open lower end 26 of the tube 24 as well as atapered end I edge surface 31.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provi l sion of improved spherical forms dispensing means which may be incorporated into existing high-speed capping machinery with a minimum of alteration of the compo- In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

r Mounted on the upper surface 33 of the tube 2-4 are first and second' guidingstuds 34 and 35, respectively which position a pedal member 36 through'engagement with first and second openings 37and 38, respectively, therethrough. The second stud 35 is provided with a resilient coil spring 39 as well as nut means 44 adjusting the tension thereof upon the upper surface of the pedal member 36.

The pedal member 36 includes a generally planar base portion 41, a first curved positioning portion 42, a second rectilinear portion 43 arranged at approximately a 45 angle with respect to the plane of the rail members 27 and 28, a bend portion 45, and a third generally horizontally disposed rectilinear portion 46.

The rectilinear portion 43 includes a lower surface 4-4 which meets with the lower surface 47 of the rectilinear portion 46 in substantially a straight line. i

The means 19, as will more fully appear, is used .op tionally depending upon the dificulty encountered in seating the spherical forms 16 within the open ends of successive containers. It is also supported from the upper frame element 17 by an elongated vertically disposed link 50, and includes a pivotally mounted link 51 there being I aerasse a rotationally mounted roller 52 urged in a downward direction by spring tension means 53.

Referring to Figure 2, a dispensing cycle is commenced with the component parts positioned as shown in that figure. The forwardmost spherical form is supported upon the rail members 27 and 28 which are spaced apart a distance suflicient to permit a portion of the spherical forms 16 to project therebetween to lie in the path of an oncoming fitment 21, disposed upon a container 12.

With the engagement of the edge of the fitment 23 with the surface of the spherical forms 16, the forms 16 pivot about the edge of the fitment, while simultaneously rolling upon the surface 44'. With the rightward movement as seen in Figure 3 in the drawing, this movement continues until the line of interconnection 48 between the surfaces 44' and 47 is reached, at which time the form to pivots about a point on this line. In the position shown in Figure 4, the pivoting action has caused the spherical form 16 to enter the socket 22, following which the generally horizontally disposed surface 47 lowers under the action of the spring 3h to resiliently press the spherical form 16 intothe socket. This return motion brings the surface 44' into contact with a succeeding spherical form 16 whereby the same may be positioned in a fitment engaging condition as shown in Figure 2 for a repetition of the cycle.

Where the force of the spring 39 is not suiiicient to fully seat the spherical form 16, subsequent rightward travel will bring the same beneath the roller 52 where any additional force required may be provided.

It may thus be seen that we have invented novel and highly useful improvements in spherical form dispensing means whereby ball type dispenser containers may be sealed for operation substantially as rapidly as other types of containers which may be closed employing high speed capping'machine devices. The inventive structure comprises substantially only one moving part, which may be readily adjusted to provide varying spring tension as required. As the structure is fed through a chute and hopper means, the same may be incorporated into a wide variety of existing forms of capping machines without extensive alteration at substantially small cost.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:

1. A device for singly dispensing a plurality of spherical forms upon the open arcuate ends of containers pass ing in succession beneath said device comprising: chute means for singly advancing said spherical forms to a discharge point at the lower end thereof, said chute means having a. substantially downwardly extending opening therein, a pair of rail members generally horizontally disposed and secured to the lower portion of said chute means to at least partially project below said opening, a pedal member resiliently associated with said tube for movement in a substantially vertical plane, said pedal member having a free end portion which overlies said opening in such manner that the leading spherical form is maintained upon said rails, said rails being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit a portion of each of said spherical forms to project downwardly therebetween to lie with the path of successive containers; said pedal member including a first downwardly facing surface arranged at substantially an acute angle with respect to the plane of said track members, and a second generally horizontal downwardly facing surface, the plane of said first and second surfaces meeting in a line lying in a substantially horizontal plane; said spherical forms in exiting from said chute means successively rolling upon said first surface, pivoting upon said line, and sliding under said second surface.

2. A device for singly dispensing a plurality of spherical forms upon the open arcuate ends of containers passing in succession beneath said device comprising: chute means for singly advancing said spherical forms to a discharge point at the lower end thereof, said chute means having a substantially downwardly extending opening therein, a pair of rail members generally horizontally disposed and secured to the lower portion of said chute means to at least partially project below said opening,

a pedal member resiliently associated with said tube for movement in a substantially vertical plane, said pedal member having a free end portion which overlies said opening in such manner that the leading spherical form is maintained upon said rails, said rails being spaced apart a distance suflicient to permit a portion of each of said spherical forms to project downwardly therebetween to iiewith the path of successive containers; said pedal member including a first downwardly facing surface arranged at substantially an acute angle with respect to the plane of said track members, and a second generally horizontal downwardly facing surface, the plane of said first and second surfaces meeting in a line lying in a substantially horizontal plane; said spherical forms in exiting from said chute means successively rolling upon said first surface, pivoting upon said line, and sliding under said second surface; and resilient roller means for applying subsequent pressure upon said successive spherical forms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,821,823 Wahl Feb. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,415 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1953 

